FALCON BEACH - THE SERIES

Today, we hung on our wall, in the pilot house, a framed burgee of “Falcon Beach”, which is a fond memory for us. 

 

We came to Boundary Creek Marina, with Thunderbird, after a number of years spending summers at the dock in Gimli.  At that time we had still been working on the engine and getting the boat running properly and were not mobile at all.  So, that was the only place we could launch and be towed to a berth, live on board and work on the boat all summer.  We were tucked in a corner that no one else would take, because you could not get in and out of it.  Once the boat was running properly, Gimli harbour could not supply us with a proper dock that we could get in and out of, to go cruising.  So when Boundary Creek Marina offered to create a good long dock, in a place where it was easy for us to pull in and out of, we jumped at it.  And we have not regretted it for a second.  It is the best marina we have ever been docked in. 

 

When we arrived in 2006 we discovered that they were filming a television series called “Falcon Beach”, at the marina.  There were many “sets” around Winnipeg Beach, including downtown streets, Beauty shop, Arcade, Beach Front etc. and every Tuesday, they came to the Marina to film. 

This all started as a pilot movie, which was picked up and ran for two years as a TV series.   One of the young male leads “Jason “ was supposed to be running the marina for his widowed mother and the second young male lead “Danny” was supposed to be running the downtown Arcade for his family.  It was a real teenage, romance and angst, soap opera.  (Coincidentally, Dan and I happen to know the man that used to own the downtown Arcade in the beach and his name actually was Danny.)  
 

This filming restricted your movements slightly on Tuesdays, but was very interesting, and added an extra spark to life in the marina. If your boat was in the background of a shot you were not allowed to move it until after they had finished the filming for that day, as, once they started a scene they couldn’t have a boat disappear out of the back ground from one shot to the next. You had free movement around the marina until you heard them holler“ACTION”, then you froze where you were and stayed put until they hollered“CUT”, so that you made sure you didn’t walk into the middle of a scene. And if your boat was used you got paid $75.00 for that. We once got $75.00 to have two Bikini clad young ladies laying sun bathing on the bow of our boat all one afternoon. But, that didn’t end up on TV. I guess it ended up “On the cutting room floor”, as they say, but we still got paid. 

I think we all have fond memories and stories to tell about when the filming was going on, about the people we met (actors and crew).  About the scenes some boats and boaters were in, the free food they offered us from the catering tent, snapping pictures of the hot young stars, in case they ever made it really big. 

To us it was all really great fun.  I hope some day my foster Granddaughters will cherish this picture that their Nana arranged to have taken with the star Steve Byers. 

 

Then there were the stories of slipping drinks to actors and crew when they were hanging around waiting for the action to start.  There seemed to be a lot of waiting and they were so bored.  I heard there was an actress that became quite enamoured of the Captain of Solitude VI, who would pour an ounce out of a can of coke and replace it with rum and nod to it as he left it here or there around the marina set, ready for her each time her scene ended.   I would like to add that he refuses to confirm or deny that.......  But, I can’t, as he will proudly tell you all about it, if asked. 

 

All of the boats that could, at any time, end up in a shot in any direction from the club house, were given burgees with the fictitious “ Town of Falcon Beach”  logo, that were to be flown every Tuesday, during filming.  I stumbled across ours, while cleaning yesterday and it brought back some fun memories so I decided to frame it and hang it up in the boat. 

 

IT ADDS TO MY BOATING MEMORIES

 

THE WEEKEND

It turned out to be a really nice weekend after all.  The weatherman certainly was not giving us much encouragement, with predictions of rain for most of the weekend.  But, thankfully, as usual the weather man was wrong. 

Friday was a beautiful day, with the odd very short and intermittent sun shower.  Until after dinner when a number of us were sitting out enjoying the sunshine and a real downpour occurred.  We all made a quick dash to our boat and socialized for a couple of hours on board Thunderbird. 

Saturday, we had sunshine for the whole day as well.  There was a Wine and Cheese get together at the club in the afternoon, which was well attended.  A number of people went out cruising Saturday evening as well.  And the rain held off and I was even able to sleep with the hatch over our bed open. 

Sunday was a replay of the rest of the weekend, but with much more threatening looking clouds.  Although it got a little cool with the cloud cover, we were able to sit out (with jackets on) until around 3:00 pm.  Then it started to spit a little so we adjourned to our boats. 

The rain never amounted to much, but most stayed on board until after dinner, then we had a couple more hours of outdoor weather. All in all a good weekend. The only sad thing to report is that we have lost one of our little goslings. That family of 5 is now down to 4. 

 

 

 

SO THAT WAS OUR WEEKEND

 

 

 

 

 

IT'S BEEN A LOVELY WEEK

Our week at the Marina has been wonderful.  Sea-Enna is just so happy to be here.  She will sit by the hour just staring out at the water and the boats and she is happy. 

The weather has been great. The other day, Dan installed some motion sensitive lights for our dock. Right now the sun is out until about 10 pm, but as the summer moves on into fall they will be very helpful in the evening. 

So here it is Friday, and what else, but It's raining!.. 

Just when everyone is looking forward to coming out for the weekend, it's pouring. 

So, here I sit, working on my Blog, while others Dan and Sea-Enna have decided it's a good excuse for a nap. 

DIY: VINYL FLOORING FOR BATHROOM WALLS

When we purchased the "Thunderbird", it only had one "head" (bathroom) and it was pretty rough.  It was roomy and conveniently located and had a really nice vanity & mirror.  But, beyond that, the toilet was very old and didn't work well.  It had no holding tanks and the whole interior ( walls and floor) were just plain plywood.  Early on, Dan addressed the toilet and tank issues, then I started to think about what to do with the finishes . 

Over the years, Dan and I have done many, many home renovations and in one of them we had used vinyl flooring as a tub surround.  It worked perfectly.  It was waterproof, flexible to work with, and hid all the rough  spots on the old walls and it lasted beautifully. With this experience in mind I decided to cover the walls of the head with vinyl flooring. 

Although it would have been the first choice, as it was in the tub surround, I could not use anything that looked like tiles.  There are always curves in boat walls, so I knew that a tile pattern would emphasize those curves and make it look like the tiles were installed crooked. 

I was able to find a good flooring with a random stone pattern in brown tones and a nice matte finish that looked like real stone. 

Finding the right material was only half the battle, now I wanted it installed with as few seams as possible.  No easy task, but we got it done.  That flooring in the main head, starts at the ceiling goes down the starboard wall and across the floor and up the other side with no seam at all.  The only seams are in the two upright corners.  By making templates and pre-fitting, I got it installed in one large piece. 

At times it looked like a crazy  " I Love Lucy"  skit as I wrestled with that glue covered flooring in that little bathroom.  I ended up covered with glue, I even had it in my hair.  But, with Dan's help,  I got the job done.  I was quite pleased with the results. 

So, when we created the second head in the Captain's quarters I did not hesitate to use vinyl flooring on the walls again.  The Captain's quarters are in Navy, Grey, Blue, Beige and White, so I had to find a grey or ,beige tone with another random stone pattern. 

This one has smaller stones in the pattern and is a little on the shiny side but it matches the small head very well.  The pieces not being so large, and the head not being so closed in, it was a lot easier to install.  So I am very please with the results in this head as well.

 

VINYL FLOORING IS GREAT FOR BATHROOM WALLS. 

A RELAXING WEEKEND

It has been a wonderful weekend at the lake.  A lot more boats have arrived.  The harbour is starting to fill up.  A lot more new people to meet and names to learn.  Which are always difficult for me to remember.  

 

Our neighbour Art finally got his new dock.  The marina has over the last couple of years been replacing all the old wood docks with new EZ Docks.  Art was the last to get one and arrived in the beach before his dock was ready, so he had to park else where and wait for it to be readied.  But he got to sit on shore and watch it all take shape. 

 

 

 We have a couple of families of geese in the harbour this year.  This little guy was lagging behind when his family climbed out of the creek and up onto the bank.  He couldn't seem to keep up, so he just stopped and took a rest.  

But, not to worry, Dad was standing guard close by waiting for him to come up and join the others.  We have one family of three gosslings and another family of four.  They are adorable to watch when they are all so cute, yellow and fluffy and tripping all over themselves. 

 

The weather has been wonderful and everyone is so happy to be back at the lake again for another season. 

 

 

WHAT A LIFE

 

 

 

 

GREY HERON

The Boundary Creek Great Grey Heron, is back for another year.  When we first moved our boat to this marina, from where we used to boat out of Gimli Harbour, this bird was a rare sighting and we were all quick to snap pictures of him/her each time he/she showed up.  How do you tell the sex of a bird???   

 

Well, this bird has obviously chosen our harbour as its home territory.   It is quite relaxed and sits and preens at it's leisure and feels in no danger no matter how many of us are around.  It is a little more leery on the weekends when the harbour is very, very busy. 

It generally feeds at dawn and dusk along the edge of our creek and is fascinating to watch.   My research indicates that Grey Herons perch high in (preferably dead) trees at night.

We have all become so familiar 
with this bird and we all look forward to seeing it and feel very protective of it.  It has become just like part of our marina family.   I think we should have a "Name the Heron" competition this summer.  My suggestion is "Bounder".  Any other suggestions?  


                                          

NAME THAT BIRD

 

 

         

SPRING CLEANING THE BOAT

Each year when we arrive at our dock I am always aghast at the condition of the boat.  It is amazing how dirty everything gets while we are working in the hangar.  Not only are the hangars, dusty and dirty, but the interior of the boat, when you are in there, is very dark, so you can't see the dirt that is accumulating.  And you are also too busy to notice it either.  So, the first thing I always notice as we cruise out of Gimli harbour heading for our home port, in the bright streaming sunlight, is how dusty and dirty everything is. 
 










The first week in our home port my main focus is always, "get the boat cleaned up".  I usually go through it from bow to stern.   I need to dust and wipe everything down, Vacuum, wash windows, clean venetian blinds, shine up her woodwork, wash floors and set everything up for summer living. 

I am trying a new furniture oil, spray on my woodwork this year.  It looks really good, but seems to be quite oily right now.  I hope that soaks in and doesn't leave a film on everything that will collect dust.   Oh, well, time will tell. 


Some how I really don't mind this work, because at least I'm on board, and I can do it at my leisure.  It certainly doesn't have to be done in one day, or one weekend for that matter.  I have the whole summer. 

 

 

 

WOMEN'S WORK IS NEVER DONE.  NEITHER IS MEN'S IF YOU OWN A BOAT